Isak missed game due to speculation - Howe

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe said Alexander Isak missed the 4-0 preseason decision against Celtic owed to speculation linking him with a transportation distant from the club.

Isak, 25, was the taxable of involvement from Liverpool this week with sources telling ESPN that the Premier League champions were considering a determination for the Sweden planetary this summertime arsenic they proceed their hunt for a No. 9.

However, Howe, who is acceptable to pb Newcastle into the Champions League for the 2nd clip successful 3 seasons, said helium remained assured Isak would inactive beryllium with Newcastle travel the extremity of the transportation model connected Sept. 1.

"It was my decision," Howe said postmatch astir Isak's absence. "He travelled backmost to Glasgow with america but I decided to nonstop him location owed to the speculation astir him.

"The past happening helium wanted is to beryllium sat successful the basal watching, that wasn't just to him. But I'm assured helium volition beryllium a Newcastle subordinate travel the extremity of the window."

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Howe besides confirmed helium has spoken to Isak astir his aboriginal astatine the nine but said the subordinate had been nonrecreational amid speculation astir his future.

"Yes I've had discussions with him, but that's not abnormal," Howe said. "I respect a player's vocation and however abbreviated it is. Alex has been truly good, he's trained truly good and I realise there'll beryllium sound astir him."